1. FRANKENSTEIN CH. 17- CH. 24 NOTES
BY MARY SHELLEY 1

3. Nature reflects his mental state
Nature is often portrayed as omnipresent
and capable of altering human perception
and perspective.
Just as nature can make him joyful, however,
so can it remind him of his guilt, shame, and
regret: “The rain depressed me; my old feelings recurred, and I was miserable.”

4. Sublime Nature
Throughout the novel, pay attention to how the characters are influenced by the natural world.
Also note Shelley’s long descriptions of the natural world. This is classic Romanticism!

5. Frame Story

6. Promises, promises
“I ought to be Adam, yet I am the fallen angel” (105)
“Make me happy and I shall again be virtuous” (105)
BUT change of tone…
“Listen to me Frankenstein. You would accuse me of murder… yet you would destroy your own creature” (105)

7. Ch. 15
But Paradise Lost… the picture of an omnipotent God warring with his creatures (139)
I was wretched, helpless, and alone (139)

8. Language between Victor and his creature
He agrees… but “melancholy…. Was a devouring blackness” 162
“I was a slave to my creature” 166
“I should survive what I shall soon cease to be- a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity, pitiable to others and intolerable to myself” 174
“Slave, I before reasoned with you … you are my creator, but I am your master; obey! 181
Creature refers to himself as superior; Victor is only in control when the creature is powerless.
slave, tyrant, tormentor 182
My tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery 182

9. Ch. 19 hands and will separate?
“I would not quit Henry for a moment, but followed him as his shadow, to protect him from the fancied rage of his destroyer. I felt as if I had committed some great crime…” 175
Did he? Second time he says this
“And my eyes were shut to the horror of my proceedings. But now I went in to it in cold blood, and my heart often sickened at the work of my hands” 178

10. Ch. 20 second thoughts? She might not hide, as he had promised 179
“they might even hate each other… she might quit him “ 179
“one of the first results of those sympathies for which the demon thirsted would be children, and a race of devils would be propagated upon the earth” 180
Slave, I before reasoned with you… You are my creator, but I am your master; obey! 181

11. Victor is at it again…
Envelops himself in the creation of a mate for his creature.
Puts off his marriage to Elizabeth
- the only happiness in his life
Is it an ethical or moral breach to keep the secret until AFTER the wedding? What was he really hoping?

12. Ch. 20
P Victor looks up and sees the creature watching him at work, in the distance
“a ghastly grin wrinkled his lips” 180
He has been following him this whole time
“trembling with passion, tore to pieces the thing on which I was engaged” 180
“The wretch saw me … howl of devilish despair” 180
deja-vu- THIS is his timing?
Paralyzed like Hamlet- until now. What can he actually control?

13. Damage control
“I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding- night” 182
Interpretation issues: what was the promise?
Guilt: he didn’t watch Henry close enough. Did he watch Eliz.?
Blame: He goes to the police, but…
delirium

15. Walton
Promises to Victor: Is Walton in the same danger as Victor? What is the change?
interaction with the creature- hair p. 237

17. Characterization of women From passive to powerful – How?
EARLIER WOMEN
SHE-CREATURE
To Victor
To the creature
Why is the interpretation of her is varied in modern productions? Cultural commentary.
Mother
Elizabeth
Justine

18. Bride of Frankenstein vs. she-creature
Traditional Bride- Adheres to or violates Shelley’s thematic interpretations?
Modern Bride- central difference in interpretation?

19. Themes: Ignorance is bliss Human injustice Relationships are fragile
Selfishness is destructive
Revenge is consuming
Prejudice is taught or learned?
Consequences of pride
Parental responsibility
Intolerance/Cruelty
Outcasts / exiles
Themes: